I started my academic journey in psychology, until a serendipitous encounter shifted my focus to advertising. As a self-taught graphic designer, I was appointed as Creative Director for the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC), where students craft and pitch a fully-integrated marketing campaign for a real corporate client. Our team at UNLV won 1st place regionally—surpassing top universities like UCLA and USC—and 6th place nationally among over 150 universities. It was UNLV’s first time placing top honors in the history of the competition, marking a pivotal moment that led me to switch my major and career to Integrated Marketing Communications. A foundation in psychology continues to inform my human-centered approach.

 

My professional career began helping small, local businesses formulate their marketing strategies before working at various advertising agencies, including R&R Partners and MassMedia Corporate Communications. Prior to founding Coruzzi Communications, I immersed myself in the nonprofit and public education sectors as the Director of Communications and Development for Opportunity 180. In this role, I spearheaded the writing of a federal grant that was awarded over $24 million to fund the launch and expansion of high-performing schools across Nevada’s high-poverty neighborhoods. I also led the conceptualization and design of a first-of-its-kind data portal that translated complex school performance data into information that's easily accessible for families. It was the first time the state's school performance data was made available in Spanish.

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For over a decade, I've been involved in the Las Vegas chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), co-leading the production of the American Advertising Awards (ADDY) shows in 2013 through 2016. I was also a member of the founding board for AD2, AAF's affiliate for young professionals in advertising. 

 

Beyond my professional endeavors, I am deeply committed to community service, particularly in supporting youth. I have volunteered with dozens of local nonprofits and children’s hospitals. For eight years, I served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care, representing their best interests in the courtroom, at school, and in the community. I have served as a state board member and co-chair of the Resource Development Committee for the Nevada CASA Association, and am an active member of the United Way of Southern Nevada's marketing committee.

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I’m a proud dog mom to four pups, all of whom were adopted (or foster failed) from local pet rescues.